What to do?

needhelp1234 SG

I feel i doesn’t exist in this world, chanting buddhas names for help doesn’t work for me… and everythings seems to be my fault. i dont understand why??? i’m not clever,talented,hard-working etc … in everything i do. life is meaningless for me.

An Eternal Now SG

Everything seems to be your fault because you choose to see it as your fault, is that so? If thats so it is only your own perception. Practising Buddhism isn't only about chanting, it is about clearing all the garbage in our mind. Including our own attachment to perceptions of things/yourself because they are rooted in ignorance, and start to see things as it is without your own thoughts. There is also no need to feel bad about being at fault, we can learn from our mistakes.

Also, life does not become meaningful just by being clever, talented, hard working. Even the thought 'clever', 'talented', is also PERCEPTIONS. Throw them away - 'clever', 'talented', 'stupid', 'smart'. I believe everyone at one point will feel the same way as you... that life is meaningless, because things dont go his way, or he feel inadequate. But the true purpose of living is to live happily and help others.. to be a Bodhisattva who liberates himself and others. And that is by cultivating the dharma in our lives. So what if someone is clever and talented? Doesn't mean he dont have his own problems and is very happy.

Do see what I posted today - Awareness without analysis

needhelp1234 SG

in my life, i dont really see happy things… i all see is people sufferings. How do i help people when i can’t even help myself??

An Eternal Now SG

yes.. in that case start helping yourself first. if you know how to cultivate what buddha taught, putting what you know into practise, you will really be different from before. I suggest you find a dharma teacher, or pick up a buddhist book to read if you're new to Buddhism.

May I too.. suggest these 2 websites:
http://www.humanbliss.com.sg/index.asp
http://www.jenchen.org.sg/

paperflower SG

are you sure you really feel you don't exist in this world. perhaps when you practice deep meditation you would come to realise that you are actually inherently non-existent.... but nonetheless before you understood "non-existent" you'll still feel you are existing through BREATH, existing for the career you want, for your family and loved ones and for some purpose.

don't always think practicing buddhism is only chanting buddha's name all that is only. it is way deeper than just "blindly chanting and reciting" and expecting something. the more you expect the further you drift away. it is natural for people to expect something but that is totally meaningless AND IT IS NOT GENUINE.

your cleverness can be trained, talents can be discovered. you are lazy is BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU ARE LAZY not because you are lazy. all these CAN BE CHANGED. you can continue to be like this all you want or you can start to search within yourself to understand yourself more.

alot of people because of not exposed and taught correctly or introduced properly to TRUE BUDDHIST PRACTICE misunderstood buddhism and so they turned away and embrace other religions. thats like "shopping around". it is not an authenticity of being your self.

a man has something very valuable and if he lose them then that's it - SELF WORTH & SELF AUTHENTICITY.

paperflower SG

self -worth is not pride in this case - why? because you realise your buddha-nature within yourself and that is valuable and worthwhile it is always there.

to add on....
it's most important that you don't lose your "MIND"...

paperflower SG

because that is all you think of yourself.

take a step at a time. small steps 1st.

if you want to take big steps so fast and straight away of cos you will think you can't save other people and yourself too.

we must be REALISTIC and take small steps at a time to reach out to help others not at once aim to become superman overnight to save all.

1st you must clear you rubbish in your head. these rubbish are your negatives de-moralising thoughts you are thinking now. thats the 1st step to save yourself 1st.

Isis SG

mMmM i could suggest u should really seek professional help from a counseller if you can't find somebody to talk to and when it still bothers you.

There are other good things in life too but you fail to see it. You have a healthy body? You are not starving to death like those African orphans right now? You are basically fine right? You can see and not blind right?

Everythings seems to be ur fault? i think you should change your mindset awhile. Cool down and think objectively what is the real cause of the problem and then try to take Corrective action. If you keep thinking everythings is your fault, you will find it hard to get out this cycle.

Don't be too critical. Human are not perfect. Learn and move on.

There is nothing wrong being an ordinary person.

In buddhism, there is a thing call self-craving which also cause suffering. " i'm not clever,talented,hard-working etc. " Sometime we desire something but cannot be attained and cause agony for us. "

Chanting Buddhas name could not help much if you don't believe in them.

Hope everythings will be well for you =)

Isis SG

Hi, i could like to add.

Chanting Buddhas name help to relax and give spiritual relief as u seek refuge in them.

There are also different kind of chantings for different Buddha and Pusa.
Prayers from medicine Buddha for the sick etc. etc.

There are stories that they ( deva, dharma protector and the pusa themselves ) manifested in many forms to help people but i should not go deep into it here.

It is also important that you put in your own effort to solve your problem too.

bohiruci SG

dear need-help , a sincere advice to you for a buddhist who practice chanting Buddha name

first ,you should understand that attachment to the present is not correct ,because it is true ,now is the downturn of the economy , so u wont see the benefits now

secondly , do have faith in Buddha name and concentration is important
somtimes i heard people chanting Amitabha and also other Buddha name like Medicine Buddha , Vairocana Buddha ,so many and one's mind is never in saturation .Without saturation ,how would your mind transform problem into solution

let me tell you my practise .I am only acquainted with Pureland practice of Amitabha 5/6 years ago .I know the volume of my chanting isnt enough now , as now I also encountering difficulties in life and career .

But...
It doesnt deter me from continue to chant Amitabha Name .Because I also encountered problem which only can be resolved by "letting go "
and Chanting Amitabha name .Which Amitabha help me unconsciously

thirdly ,do not view your problems as difficulties.Appreciate your difficulties

who knows when you are starting out to be lucky , you may have more problems ahead ,in terms of wealth ,fame and possession

rich man is worried about the loss of wealth
poor man is concerned about the turn of luck

so they are in fact suffering ,same as I do

thanks paperflower for pointing some consolation which i penned here under the third point Laughing

do start to learn more abt the name YOU ARE CHANTING.I read up about Amitabha and I can said I havent finished understanding the

Greatness of His 48 vows and the Patriach(Hmmm , ring a Idea
maybe I will start to post on the Chinese Patriach of Pureland Buddhism in my next posting)

in the meantime , do not self-despot , it wont help you .because this could be a lull period of you.

What if the next few month ,you changed job and u got double this pay .but you never take care of your mental health ,how ?

Its alrite to be grouchy , but do not let the mood spread your whole day or weeks or month , it is not worthwhile .

my sincere inputs,
bohiruci

bohiruci SG

The common belief that Amitabha Rebirth mantra is for the deceased

the Medicine Buddha is for the sick

the Kshetigarbha (Typo deliberately to prevent my Buddha name got moderate cause it sound like vulgar Laughing )
for the just died is totally wrong

you can still recite Amitabha Buddha

What is Amitabha ?

Amitabha is limitless light , wisdom and longevity

that applies to all other Buddhas that Buddha Sakyamuni taught us Smile

Personally when encountered problem I still chant Amitabha Buddha

but ...
I do recommend and chant a few Medicine Buddha , Kshetigarbha Bodhisattva holy name in occasion or seeing their Buddha statue .

This is what is in the first verse of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
Venerate all Buddhas with Respect

neutral_onliner SG

err...pls read post Uniqueness of buddhism

http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=185088

Cool

An Eternal Now SG

Today saw this at Kekwei's forum, which I find is suitable to be posted here. Yes, recitation, and many kinds of practises are very important, but why does it not work? Because even during chanting your mind is distracted, you cannot chant until 'yi xin bu luan'

http://www.buddhism4u.com/smf/index.php?topic=339.0

The Knower Of Reality Has Said
That Even If Recitation And Physical Hardships
Are Practised For Long Period Of Time
They Will Be Meaningless If The Mind Is Distracted

Shantideva

Captain ^-^ SG

hey maybe you need to make yourself more busy,go find your worth by helping those needed our help,those more unfortune one,it can be old folks home or etc,come on there is so much we could do every day for people just that maybe we forcus too much on ourself but forgetting others,we are living in a big family my friend Razz