Daily Buddhist Verses

last SG · 2005-05-29T17:49:29+00:00

Our normal way of relating people is to see ourself as separate from the others.To objectify beings as separate you and make them an object of attachment is...

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Buddhist take a vow of morality in the context of first taking refuge - in Buddha, in the states of realization, and in the spiritual community. Refuge is the foundation for the practice of morality. Buddha teaches us how to find refuge from suffering and limitation, but the chief refuge, or source of protection, is found in the states of realization achived through practicing morality, concentrated meditation, and wisdom.

~ The Dalai Lama

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A large portion ( of meditators) wants to meditate for "relaxation" - they want a quick and cheap fix to cope with their daily lives. There are many psyhiatrists and psychologists who use meditaton for such purposes - as a method of relieving anxieties and tensions. Today, the word "meditation" has been misuesd and abused. It is now been misunderstood. There was one occasion when someone wanted to practice vipassana ( insight meditation) but do not wish to have anything to do with mindfulness! How can this be?

~ Ven. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

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Question : Were there instances where meditators say, "Well, look here - I want to learn meditation only and don't want to listen to what the Buddha says."?

Ven. Gunaratana : Sure, in fact some have requested only for vipassana and to exclude the Dhamma. Here, there is some misunderstanding of what vipassana is. You cannot study vipassana without dealing with the core teachings of the Buddha. Therefore, we don't use labels and words. We just explain the truth and soon they will realise the interconnectedness of all aspects of meditation. To those who are really fanatic and rigid - they will eventually drop out. But if they want to persist, then we teach simple type of meditation and tell them that their meditation will not be successful and meaningful. You cannot divorce meditation from the Dhamma and there are many serious meditators who know this.

In conversation with Ven. Gunaratana, For You vol 215 03/2007

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It is clear through the teachings of Buddha that we are all spiritual beings with a physical existence in this world. The physical body given to us is in essence a 'shell'. For purposes of explanation it can be likened to a set of clothing that is temporary and impermanent. The question that arises is therefore: When this set of clothing is no longer required by us, but is much needed by someone else, should we give it up to them?

~ Ven. Meow Yee

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Buddhism is neither a religion nor a philosophy, but the Essential for our mordern time.

~ Buddhist scholar, Mr. Jing-Wu Ou-Yang

An Eternal Now SG

It really seems such a pity that the spiritual seeking and ordinary daily living are generally seen as contradictory to each other. Either one is not interested in anything spiritual because one considers oneself to be too young to waste time on such matters, or one shuns the beauties of this world in order to inherit the glories of the next. It seems such a shame that people do not realize that this world can itself be a heaven, a haven of peace and tranquility, if only it is seen with opened eyes and alert senses. Indeed, one does not have to leave this world to find divinity, either in thought or through bodily death.

~ Ramesh Balsekar

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The realisation of dependent arising is even more difficult than realising that things are impermanent. If we are really able to understand that our lives are changing every moment and our lifespan is being depleted, that every moment we coming closer to death, then our spiritual practice becomes very successful. It becomes very easy for us to follow a spiritual path. The realisation of impermanence is the start of the process.

~ Ven. Geshe Thubten Chonyi

Shipo_kyo SG

CONDITIONS TRULY THEY ARE TRANSIENT
WITH THE NATURE TO ARISE AND CEASE
HAVING ARIASEN, THEN THEY PASS AWAY,
THEIR CALMING, CESSATION - HAPPINESS.
ALL KINDS OF BEINGS SURELY COME TO DEATH,
THEY HAVE ALWAYS DIED, WILL ALWAYS DIE,
IN THE SAME WAY I SHALL SURELY DIE, DOUBT
ABOUT THIS DOES NOT EXIST IN ME.

Pamsukulagatha

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Death is a temporary end
of a temporary phenomenon( life).
Everyone dies, but no one is dead.

~ Buddhist Saying

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The Buddha teachings help us to gain two kinds of benefits. One, happiness in life - we will enjoy blessings, security, peace, joy and health. Second, liberation from the cycles of birth and death, and its vexations.

This is because if we realise and understand the teachings of the Buddha and believe in the law of cause and effect, we will not worry unnecessarily when we are confronted with any difficulties or dangers in life.

~ Zen master Sheng Yan

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Once, the car I was in almost met with an accident. The others who were in the car screamed and shouted when our car was nearly hit by the other driver. After a while they turned around and noticed I was not scared, but calm. " Master, why weren't you afraid?" I replied. "If we get hit, we get hit. If we don't, well see how fine we are now." I always tell people that while it is necessary to be cautious, it is unnecessary to worry and be afraid. It is destined that we will die one day on the very day we were born, so it is unnecessary to worry too much. If our time is not up, we won't die, so there's no need to worry.

~ Zen master Sheng Yan

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A Buddhist life is actually meaningful. It is filled with happiness, health, blessings and security.

~ Zen Master Sheng Yan

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Question: Many beginner meditators complain of physical (backaches, headaches, etc) or psychological problems ( disorientation, personality shifts, sense of loneliness, etc). What will your advice be to them?

Ven. Gunaratana: This means they have been practising the wrong type of meditation. If they get instructions from a really good reliable teacher and keep in touch with the teacher and express whatever change in experience they may face, then the teacher could be able to give them proper guidance to avoid those negative effects. For instance, headaches - it is not something unusual. Through discussions and interviews, the teacher should be able to help and support the meditator. Secondly, sometimes people experience fear so the teacher needs to find out the reason for such fear. Then, some people react in violent ways and so we have to find out the reason why. The teacher must be skilful to solve those problems. There are systems and methods to overcome those difficulties.

~ In Conversation with Ven. Gunaratana, For You Vol 215 03/2007

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When you are confronted with trouble, do whatever you can to overcome it, but if it is insurmountable, then reflect on the fact that this trouble is due to your own actions in this , or a previous life. Understanding that suffering comes from karma will bring some peace as it reveals that life is not unjust. Otherwise sorrow and pain might seem to be meaningless.

~ The Dalai Lama, How to Practice

Shipo_kyo SG

Bro

firstly physcial problem can just do at their comfort level.
Psychological problems is a part and pacel. who dont feel the period of loneliness? who dont feel their personality not saint enough? Disorientation?? no comment.
Just do it easily, why stress about in meditation? Just let go your desire.
worry about money n relation, let nature take it course.

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Enlightenment is innate,
delusion is not.

~ The Awakening of Faith Sastra

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Self-nature is innate;
from self-nature arises all phenomena in the universe.

~ Hui neng

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The principle of Buddhism is to break through all superstitions and delusion. it is to resolve delusion to attain happiness and enlightenment, to eliminate suffering to gain serenity and purity of mind.

~ Ven. Master Chin Kung

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When we incarnate as a human being,
we are called a human being;
when we incarnate as a bird, we are called a bird.
None of these are solid, definite form of us;
none of these are the form of the "Self".
For this reason, we should not be attached,
and should know the truth of "Selflessness".
The continuous stream of life is just like this.
We may generate many different forms of life,
but none of these forms is who we are.
Our life is formless.
Our present form of life and body is borrowed,
and originates from karmic cause and effect.
So, next time when someone is scolding you,
or criticizing you, do not take for granted that it is you!

~ Master Hsin Tao

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To appreciate others is to respect oneself.

~ Ven. Zheng Yan, Still Thoughts

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