Can Dedication Of Merits Solve Problems?

May. 3 | As the Buddhas help immeasurable beings, from this they personally gather immeasurable merits. - Stonepeace (Part 1) Is it possible to do certain good deeds to solve specific problems? Of course, karmically speaking, this is possible – provided...

Why The Dharma Is The Greatest Gift

Apr. 6 | 法轮未转, 食轮先转. [Before] the wheel of the Dharma has yet to turn, the wheel of [hunger for] food first turns. - Buddhist Saying Once, Sakra, the king of the devas, after futile efforts of getting the answers to some questions at a meeting...

Does Investment In Animal Trade Break The First Precept?

Mar. 30 | Question: I try to observe ‘no killing’ whenever I can,  even though I did not take up the precept via a formal ceremony and am not a vegetarian. However, I have investment in the fishery business. Does this make me ‘break’ my...

Does Chanting Attract Spirits?

Mar. 21 | Question: I heard some saying that chanting certain mantras or sutras attracts spirits (ghosts) as they also want to listen to the Dharma. Is there any truth in this? If so, does it really matter, especially if I sometimes chant at night? Answer: Generally,...

How To Be Inexhaustible Joyful Lamps Of The Dharma

Jan. 10 | All Buddhas only wish that all practise and share the Dharma well to benefit all. - Stonepeace According to the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra, Mara (the most evil heavenly demon king from the Paranirmita-vashavartin heaven) once disguised as Sakra (the chief...

True Great Power & Compassion

Jun. 22 | True self greatness is from great selfless service to others; not great selfish service for oneself. - Stonepeace There is a Buddhist saying: “You will be the Great Power [Strength] Bodhisattva [Mahasthamaprapta] if you show joy and unselfish giving...

Dealing With Emotional Abuse At Home

Oct. 31 | Question: Someone in my family is giving me to a lot of emotional abuse. She would find fault with me and scold me, yet treat me as non-existent at other times. When I speak to her about this, she refuses to communicate.  Do you have any advice? Answer: If...

How Even The Gods May Fall

Sep. 12 | That even gods may fall is a powerful reminder that merely doing good is not good enough. - Stonepeace Whoever has accumulated much merit, after his rebirth in the Deva-realms [heavenly planes of gods], lives there till the end of the life-span of that...

Can A Baby Take Refuge In Buddhism?

Jul. 26 | To take the Threefold Refuge unmindfully or insincerely is to only create an imprint with little impact. - Stonepeace Buddhism does not accept the Christian notion of original sin, so Buddhists do not think infants are inherently sinful. If an infant...

Should I Share on Sharing of Merits?

Mar. 30 | Question: I heard someone telling a friend that he had dedicated the merits of an overnight puja (chanting service) to her. Is it necessary to do this? Will the merits be the same with or without the person’s knowledge? Answer: It’s not necessary,...

Why Copy Sutras?

Mar. 7 | Question: Why do Buddhists copy sutras when they are already available in books? Answer: The practice of sutra-copying originated in the ancient days, when the printing press was not yet invented. The only way of reproducing and sharing the Buddha’s...

The Significance of Tibetan Stupas

Feb. 28 | Any ordinary ritual infused with Dharma meaning becomes a spiritual practice ~ Stonepeace The Tibetan translation of the Sanskrit term stupa – choden – is an interpretive one, meaning ‘receptacle for offerings.’ This reflects...

Must Payback of Karmic Debts Be Complete for Enlightenment?

Oct. 12 | From issue 258 (October 2010) of ‘For You Information’, in the article ‘On Worship, Sutras & Mantras’, there was this question, ‘Can mantras erase kammic debts?’, followed by this answer by Dr. Teoh, ‘All...