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Thoughts

Found A Path Yet?

If you have not found a path,you might not be lost yet. If you have found a path,you might be lost soon, if you are walkingin the wrong direction.— Shilashanti

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Quotes

Bright Gem Recovered 明珠再现

我有明珠一颗, 久被尘劳关锁。今朝尘尽光生,照破山河万朵。宋朝茶陵郁和尚I have a bright gem,long by dusts’ afflictions closed and locked.Now with the dusts exhausted does its light arise,to illuminate though ten thousand clusters...

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Quotes

Value True Cultivation 贵真实修行

学佛者无用庄严形迹,只贵真实修行。 净土宗八祖莲池大师《云栖法汇》   Those learning Buddhismhave no use for magnificent etiquette, only valuing true cultivation. Pure Land Tradition’s 8th Patriarch Great Master Liánchí  ...

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Excerpts

[4] The Parable Of The Wife Who Cheated And Pretended To Be Dead From The Sūtra Of A Hundred Parables《百喻经》之妇诈称死喻

昔有愚人,其妇端正,情甚爱重;妇无直信,后于中间共他交往,邪淫心盛欲逐傍夫舍离己婿,于是密语一老母言:「我去之后,汝可赍一死妇女尸安着屋中,语我夫言,云我已死。」 In the past, there was a foolish person, whose wife looked upright, to whom he had affection extreme and love heavy...

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Quotes

Poem On Uprightness 端正诗

忍辱生端正,多嗔作毒蛇。若人不儜恶,必得上三车。 —王梵志 With patience arises uprightness,with much anger becoming poisonous snakes.If people are not with evil,they will attain ascent of the three carts. — [Brahmacārin] Wáng...

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Quotes

All Buddhas Only Have The One Buddha Vehicle 诸佛唯一佛乘 Verses On The Only One Buddha Vehicle 唯一佛乘偈

诸佛唯一佛乘All Buddhas Only Have The One Buddha Vehicle 如来但以一佛乘故,为众生说法,无有余乘,若二、若三。… 诸佛以方便力,于一佛乘分别说三。…诸佛如来言无虚妄,无有余乘,唯一佛乘。…虽示种种道,其实为佛乘。 [三乘为声闻乘、辟支佛乘与菩萨乘。] 释迦牟尼佛《妙法莲华经》方便品第二 The Thus Come Ones are only with...

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Excerpts

[2] The Parable Of The Foolish Person Collecting Cow Milk From The Sūtra Of A Hundred Parables《百喻经》之愚人集牛乳喻

昔有愚人将会宾客,欲集牛乳以拟供设,而作是念:「我今若豫于日日中(上殻+下牛)取牛乳,牛乳渐多卒无安处,或复酢败。不如即就牛腹盛之,待临会时当顿(上殻+下牛)取。」 In the past, there was a foolish person, who will be meeting guests, desiring to collect cow milk, with it planning...

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Movies

The ‘Gran Torino’ Redemption

The one and only wayto relieve your heavy burdenof past grave transgressionsis to make great amends now. If those transgressions made are so great,that it cost (physical and/or spiritual) lives,the...

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Excerpts

Adornments Of The Ten Goodnesses’ Path 十善道之庄严

龙王!举要言之,行十善道,[1] 以戒庄严故,能生一切佛法义利,满足大愿;[2] 忍辱庄严故,得佛圆音,具众相好;[3] 精进庄严故,能破魔怨,入佛法藏;[4] 定庄严故,能生念、慧、惭、愧、轻安;[5] 慧庄严故,能断一切分别妄见; Dragon King, raising the essence, speaking of these, practising the Ten...

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Quotes

Difference Between Foolishness And Wisdom 愚智之别

自知愚昧的愚人,基于这点是个智者;自以为是智者的愚人,才是真正的愚者。释迦牟尼佛《法句经 •愚人品•第六十三偈》The fool who knows that he is a fool can,for that reason, be a wise man;but the fool who thinks that he is wise is,indeed, called a fool...

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Quotes

With Slander As No Slander 谤为无谤

古人云:「何以息谤?」曰:「无辩。」又云:「吃得小亏,则不至于吃大亏。」余三十年来屡次经验,深信此数语真实不虚。《弘一大师全集》Ancient ones say, ‘With what ceases slander?’ Saying, ‘Without debate.’ Also saying, ‘Able to suffer a...

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Excerpts

Rewards Of Practising Giving With The Ten Good Karmas 以十善业行施之报

尔时世尊复告龙王言:「若有菩萨依此善业,于修道时,[1] 能离杀害而行施故,常富财宝,无能侵夺;长寿无夭,不为一切怨贼损害。[2] 离不与取而行施故,常富财宝,无能侵夺;最胜无比,悉能备集诸佛法藏。[3] 离非梵行而行施故,常富财宝,无能侵夺;其家直顺,母及妻子,无有能以欲心视者。 At that time, the World-Honoured One told...

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Quotes

Accomplish That Good Of People 成人之美

代人之劳,成人之美。 净土宗十三祖印光大师《复叶福备居士书一》 On behalf of others’ efforts,help to accomplish their good deeds. Pure Land Tradition’s 13th Patriarch Great Master Yìnguāng(First Reply Letter To...

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Thoughts

Openness

Is ‘agreeing to disagree’the beginning or endof discussion? (You decide,though othersmight not agree.)

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Quotes

Verses On The Truly Right 真对偈

对事不做,自然不对。对事做错,当然不对。事真做对,错者针对。未有针对,未真做对。 If right matters are not done,this is naturally not right.If right matters are done wrongly,this is of course not right.If matters are truly done right,those...

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Features

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock…

The first lesson of the Buddha-to-beis impermanence,thus ‘rushing’ to seek the pathto attain the deathless before his death.— Shilashanti (Part 1) Tick tock,tick tock,tick tock…Time is...

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Quotes

What A Wonder!

What is the greatest wonder in the world? …That, every single day, people die,Yet the living think they are immortal.Krishna Dvaipāyana(Mahābhārata)

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Excerpts

Benefits Of Departure From Frivolous Speech 离绮语之利益

若离绮语,即得成就三种决定。何等为三? If departing from frivolous speech, this immediately attains three kinds of certainties. What are the three?[i] 一、定为智人所爱;[ii] 二、定能以智,如实答问;[iii] 三、定于人天,威德最胜,无有虚妄;是为三。[i] First...

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Quotes

Once Fallen, Immediately Arise 一倒即起

无转已起,一转二起,二转三起,三转四起,四转五起,五转六起,六转七起,七转八起,八转九起,九转十起。 佛教格言(延申) Without falling, already arisen.With one time fallen, for the second time arise.With two times fallen, for the third time arise.With three...

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Thoughts

One Dharma Door

Master now when alive,the one Dharma door*you will practise on your deathbed.*Such as mindfulness of Āmítuófófor rebirth in his Pure Land,that ensures the swiftest progress to Buddhahood.

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Quotes

Verse On Doing Your Best 尽力偈

一切尽力,之后随缘。不愿尽力,只是随便。 For all strive to do your best,thereafter according with conditions.Not wishing to strive to do your best,this is just ‘whatever goes’.

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Features

The Good, The Evil And The Pure 善恶净

诸教偈 诸恶莫作,众善奉行,自净其意,是诸佛教。 — 释迦牟尼佛《法句经》第183偈 Verse On All Teachings Of all evil not do,of all good practise,and to self-purify this mind,these are all Buddhas’ teachings. — Śākyamuni...

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Movies

15 Lessons From ‘The Glory’

[01] Memento Mori: Remember you will die.Me(mento) Mori: I will die.(You too.) [02] Life is too short for hating the hated and hating the hateful. [03] There is no glory in...

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Quotes

The Foremost Pure Land 第一净土

令我作佛,国土第一。其众奇妙,道场超绝。 If I become [Amitābha] Buddha,my [Pure] Land will be the foremost.Its assembly will be outstanding and wonderful,as the place for practising the path that is superb...

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Quotes

Thoughts, Words And Deeds

心中生字,字成言语,又成行动,所以念佛。 As the mind within gives rise to words,with the words becoming speech,also becoming actions,therefore be mindful of Buddha’s name.— Shilashanti

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Features

How To Be Confident In Reaching Pure Land 如何有信心往生净土

诸有众生,闻其【阿弥陀佛】名号,信心欢喜,乃至一念至心回向,愿生彼国,即得往生,住不退转。唯除五逆,诽谤正法。— 释迦牟尼佛《无量寿经》All sentient beings, who hear his name [Āmítuófó], with the faithful mind joyful, and even with one thought, with the sincere mind...

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Features

Who Do You Choose To Be?

Those about to create evil karmado not look different fromthose about to create good karma.They can look like you too. — Shilashanti (Part 1) If we look at picturesof heroes and villains,it is...

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Thoughts

Acceptance Haikus

If you cannot acceptthings as they are first,how do you change things? If you can acceptthings as they are already,why would you change things?

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Excerpts

Rewards Of The Ten Good Karmas 十善业之报

当知菩萨有一法,能断一切诸恶道苦。何等为一?谓于昼夜,常念、思惟、观察善法,令诸善法念念增长,不容毫分不善间杂。是即能令诸恶永断、善法圆满,常得亲近诸佛、菩萨及余圣众。You should know that Bodhisattvas have one Dharma teaching, that is able to sever all evil paths’ suffering. What...

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Excerpts

Diligently Take The Dharma’s Medicine 勤服法药

汝等比丘,于诸功德,常当一心,舍诸放逸,如离怨贼。大悲世尊,所说利益,皆已究竟。汝等但当勤而行之。 You and other Bhikṣus, for all meritorious virtues, constantly should be wholehearted, and abandon all laxity, like departing from a hateful thief...

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Thoughts

War Haikus

The best war filmsare not of victories;but anti-war films. True peaceis without war;not between wars.

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Quotes

Impermanence From Moment To Moment 时时无常

一期一会,二期二会,三期三会,多期多会。 佛教格言(延申) In one moment, with one meeting.In two moments, with two meetings.In three moments, with three meetings.In many moments, with many meetings. Buddhist Saying (Extended)...

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Excerpts

Restraint Of Mind 制心

汝等比丘,已能住戒,当制五根,勿令放逸,入于五欲。You and other Bhikṣus, those already able to abide by the precepts, should restrain your five roots [of the (1) eye, (2) ear, (3) nose, (4) tongue and (5) body (眼耳鼻舌身)], not...

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Quotes

Poem On No Fear 不畏诗

我不畏恶名,恶名不须畏。四大亦无主,信你痛谤诽。 你自之于我,于我何所费?不辞应对你,至对无气味。 — 王梵志 As ‘self’ does not fear a bad name,a bad name is not needed to be feared.With the great four elements also without hosts,to believe...

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Excerpts

Upholding Of Precepts 持戒

「汝等比丘,于我灭后,当尊重珍敬波罗提木叉,如闇遇明,贫人得宝。当知此则是汝等大师,若我住世无异此也。 ‘You and other Bhikṣus (i.e. monastics), after my Parinirvāṇa (i.e. relinquishment of the Buddha’s body), should honour, treasure and...

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Features

A Drive Out Of Stormy Weather

The cold rain just rains.The hot sun just shines.The unwise just complain. — Shilashanti The cabbie pointed out that we just drove out of stormy weather. He enthusiastically asked me to look behind...

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Excerpts

With Shame Then Diligently Cultivate 惭愧而勤修

汝等比丘,昼则勤心修习善法,无令失时。初夜后夜,亦勿有废。中夜诵经,以自消息,无以睡眠因缘,令一生空过,无所得也。当念无常之火,烧诸世间,早求自度,勿睡眠也。 You and other Bhikṣus, in day then, should be with the diligent mind practising good Dharma teachings, without leading...

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Movies

Why Have ‘Selective Outrage’?

Sometimes, comedy is just wit, for laughs.Sometimes, comedy has wisdom, food for thought.Sometimes, comedy has both wit and wisdom.Sometimes, comedy is more of one and less of the other. Is it truly...

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Quotes

Just Reminders

When you feel greedy or angry,why deludedly remain so?Greed and anger are just remindersto have more contentment and calmness instead.— Shilashanti

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Excerpts

Abstinence From Flattery 戒谄曲

汝等比丘,谄曲之心与道相违。是故宜应质直其心。 You and other Bhikṣus, should know that the mind of flattery, with the path, contradict each other. Therefore, there should be straightforwardness of your minds...

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Quotes

Always Be Noble

君子落得为君子,小人枉费做小人。 — 格言 Noble personsstill end up as noble persons,while small persons [of little virtue]waste their efforts in vainas small persons [in harming them]. — Saying

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Excerpts

Far Depart From Confusions And Disturbances 远离愦闹

汝等比丘,欲求寂静无为安乐,当离愦闹,独处闲居。静处之人,帝释诸天,所共敬重,是故当舍己众他众,空闲独处,思灭苦本。You and other Bhikṣus, desiring to seek the tranquillity of unconditioned peace and bliss, should depart from confusions and disturbances, to...

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Letters

How To Not Break The Precepts?

Question: How do I prevent myself from breaking the Five Precepts (which guard against killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and taking of intoxicants)? Answer: You can remind...

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Quotes

The Buddhas Have Many Manifestations

I work for sentient beings in the costume of Brahma and Indra,And sometimes even as Mara.But worldly people cannot realize this.I also appear as a woman or as an animal. I show attachment, even...

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Letters

Why Stop Complaining?

‘Question’: *Complaint… complaint… complaint…* Answer: Life will never improve if we merely keep complaining about people, organisations and matters. It...

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Quotes

With Upholding Precepts Following Teachings And Offering Buddhas 以持戒顺教供佛

譬如灵瑞优昙华,亦如随意妙宝珠,若信恭敬一切佛,则持净戒顺正教。若持净戒顺正教,诸佛贤圣所赞叹,戒是无上菩提本,应当具足持净戒。若能具足持净戒,一切如来所赞叹,若信恭敬一切佛,则能奇特供最胜。 — 文殊师利菩萨《华严经》贤首菩萨品第八 For example, like the Uḍumbara flower,*likewise like a wish-according wonderful...

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Excerpts

Self-Encouragement 自勉

汝等比丘,于诸功德,常当一心,舍诸放逸,如离怨贼。 You and other Bhikṣus, for all meritorious virtues, constantly should be wholehearted, and abandon all laxity, like departing from a hateful thief. 大悲世尊,所说利益,皆已究竟。汝等但当勤而行之。...

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Quotes

How To Repay The Buddha’s Kindness 如何报佛恩

念报佛恩,当持经戒,相率以道。道不可不学,经不可不读,善不可不行。行善布德,济神离苦,超出生死。见贤勿慢,见善勿谤,不以小过证入大罪。违法失理,其罪莫大,罪福有证,可不慎耶! — 释迦牟尼佛《阿难问事佛吉凶经》 To mindfully repay the Buddha’s kindness, you should uphold the sūtras and precepts, with one...

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Excerpts

The Dharma Body Constantly Abides 法身常住

自今以后,我诸弟子,展转行之,则是如来法身,常在而不灭也。是故当知,世皆无常,会必有离。勿怀忧恼,世相如是。当勤精进,早求解脱;以智慧明,灭诸痴暗。 From now afterwards, all my disciples, passing it through many, practising it (i.e. the Dharma), are then with the Thus Come...

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Thoughts

Lotus Haiku

If there are no lotuses without mud,because of this defiled land’s mud,seek that Pure Land’s lotuses.

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Features

Should Others Smile Or Cry At Your Wake?

此时,所最得益者,莫过于一心念【阿弥陀】佛。所最贻害者,莫过于妄动哭泣。 — 净土宗十三祖印光大师《临终三大要》 At this moment, of the greatest attainable benefits, nothing is more beneficial than to wholeheartedly recite the name of Buddha [Āmítuófó]...

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Excerpts

Swiftly Eliminate Arrogance 疾灭憍慢

汝等比丘,当自摩头,已舍饰好,著坏色衣,执持应器,以乞自活,自见如是。 You and other Bhikṣus, should personally scrape (i.e. shave) your heads, and already having abandoned adornments for beautification, wear spoilt coloured robes (i...

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Thoughts

Hope Haikus

Your Buddha-natureis your truly greatand lasting hope.___Potential not lived up tois still there,yet as if not.

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Quotes

Only Walk The Middle Path 唯行中道

远离二边,直行中道。不偏不离,即是佛道。 Far depart from the two extremes, by straightforwardly walking the Middle Path. Not being one-sided and not leaving it, this then is the Buddha path. Shilashanti...

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Excerpts

With Few Desires Is Less Suffering 少欲少苦

汝等比丘,当知多欲之人,多求利故,苦恼亦多。You and other Bhikṣus, should know that of people with many desires, with much seeking of benefits thus, their sufferings and afflictions are also many. 少欲之人,无求无欲,则无此患。 Of...

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Thoughts

Action Haikus

Great actions speak louderthan great words…and great thoughts.___The truly greathave great actions…not just great words and thoughts.

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Quotes

Propagate The Path 弘道

人能弘道,非道弘人。 《论语•卫灵公第十五•第二十九章》 It is people who are able to make great the path,not the path that makes great people. (Analects: 15th Chapter: Wèilínggōng: 29th Section)

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Quotes

Bodhisattvas Do Not Eat Meat 菩萨不食肉

菩萨摩诃萨发菩提心不失正念。于诸众生不起害心。不食肉。不欺诳。常以善法教化众生。众生不受不废不愁。 — 释迦牟尼佛《菩萨善戒经》   Bodhisattva Mahāsattvas give rise to the Bodhi Mind and do not lose right mindfulness. For all sentient beings, not giving rise...

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Excerpts

Illumination Of True Wisdom 实智慧之照

汝等比丘,若有智慧,则无贪著。常自省察,不令有失,是则于我法中,能得解脱。若不尔者,既非道人,又非白衣,无所名也。You and other Bhikṣus, if having wisdom, are then without greedy attachment. Constantly personally examining oneself, not leading to having...

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Thoughts

Focus Haikus

Live with ever sharperlaser-sharp focuson what you should realise. Live with ever broadersun-like radianceon how you should help.

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Features

How To Overcome Bullying?

The law of karma is unrelenting, even for those who do not believe it exists, do not understand it, and misunderstand it. — Shilashanti An unfortunately common question these days goes, ‘Still...

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Excerpts

Pare Down Your Belongings

The more of the excess you give,the more of contentment you gain. In Zen, we have a word for almsgiving: kisha. It means gladly giving something up, without regret. This is how we describe it when...

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Letters

How To Increase Attention Span?

Question: I am impatient, with short attention for Dharma learning and practice. What should I do?Answer: First, do not keep affirming to yourself that you are so. What you keep affirming...

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Excerpts

Four Sayings On Being Timely

Even ‘bad’ experiences become goodif there are good lessons learnt.Even ‘good’ experiences becomes badif there are no good lessons learnt. — Shilashanti In this world, knowing...

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Quotes

Be Sincerely Diligent 勤精进

汝等比丘,若勤精进则事无难者,是故汝等,当勤精进,譬如小水常流则能穿石。若行者之心数数懈废,譬如钻火未热而息,虽欲得火,火难可得。是名精进。   释迦牟尼佛《佛遗教经》 You [and] other Bhikṣus, if constantly diligent, [are] then [with] matters without difficulties...

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Letters

Do The Evil Live Shorter Or Longer?

Question: Why do evil leaders in the past generally live shorter lives? Answer: This is due to their immense evil karma created via creating much suffering for the masses, which bear their...

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Quotes

Verses Expressing Sentiments 抒怀偈

沉沦生死海,轮回苦无涯。娑婆非吾土,净土是君家。众生离苦海,弥陀航慈筏。信愿勤念佛,金台坐莲华。 — 传印长老 Sunken in the ocean of birth and death, reborn with suffering without a shore. This Sahā World is not my land, and the Pure Land is your home...

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Thoughts

Change Haikus

If you do notlike yourself,change yourself. If you cannotchange your body,change your mind. If you canchange your mind,your life will change.

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Quotes

Within The Path’s Mind 道心之中

道心之中有衣食衣食之中无道心 Of the path’s mind within,it has clothing and food.Of clothing and food within,they are without the path’s mind.— Buddhist Saying有修行者必得所需有所需者未必会修Those who have...

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Movies

‘The Hunt’ For A Crazy Lady

Once, two pickpockets joined a group of laypersons on their way to Jetavana Monastery, where the Buddha was teaching. One listened attentively and soon attained stream-entry. The other, however, only...

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Quotes

Mixed Good And Evil

戒律不分明,好坏便参半。难称为善人,随时可成恶。 With precepts and rules not understood clearly,one is with good and evil then mixed as halves. Difficult to be called as a good person then,as at any time, possibly...

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Excerpts

Contemplating Knowing Contentment 观知足

汝等比丘,若欲脱诸苦恼,当观知足,知足之法即是富乐安隐之处。 You [and] other Bhikṣus, if desiring [to be] liberated [from] all sufferings [and] afflictions, should contemplate [on] contentment. [The] Dharma of knowing contentment...

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Quotes

The Triply Beautiful

Practise the Dharmabeautiful in the beginning,beautiful in the middle andbeautiful at the end.For a lifebeautiful in the beginning,beautiful in the middle andbeautiful at the end.— Shilashanti

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Excerpts

Not Forgetting Mindfulness 不忘念

汝等比丘,求善知识、求善护助而不忘念,若不忘念者,诸烦恼贼则不能入,是故汝等,常当摄念在心; You [and] other Bhikṣus, [when] seeking good-knowing friends, [and] seeking good protective helpers, none [are] like not forgetting mindfulness. If...

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Quotes

Restrain From Evil Speech 禁止恶口

白圭之玷,尚可磨也;斯言之玷,不可为也! —《诗经•大雅•抑》 The blemishes of white jade,still can be polished away,but for the blemishes of that said,this cannot be done! — (Book Of Odes: Greater Odes: Restraint)

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Features

Somebody, Please! Anybody?

To be sincereis to be wholehearted,and thus single-minded.— Shilashanti In a Taiwanese comic book《怪奇微微疼》of ghost stories (by 微疼) is a full page drawing of a frowning guy having a supernatural...

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Movies

An Existential Crisis Of ‘Mine’?

A lone soldier who found himself standing on what could be a mine in the middle of a desert brings these questions to mind… [1] How do you know if you are on an existential mine or not, as...

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Quotes

Four Steps For The Dharma

Do not just learn; contemplate too.Do not just contemplate; practise too.Do not just practise; realise too.Do not just realise; share too.— Shilashanti

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Letters

Why Is There Aversion Of Some?

Question: Why do we sometimes have inexplicable aversion of some sentient beings ‘naturally’? Answer: Generally, when we feel averse towards anyone (human, animal or otherwise) for no...

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Quotes

Verse On Being Without Patience 无忍偈

真忍无忍,忍无可忍。忍者所忍,皆无所住。 — 直弦子  True patience is without patience,thus patient without that to be patient of.With the one patient and that patient of,all without that to abide upon(due to impermanence...

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Movies

Review Films Personally

Why only ‘review’ a filmby ‘reviewing’others’ reviews of it?Why not review the filmby watchingand reflecting on it? Not that others’ reviewsare worthless,but truth...

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Features

Are We In The ‘Beginning’ Pure, Impure… Or Both?

譬如销金矿, 金非销故有, 虽复本来金, 终以销成就,一成真金体, 不复重为矿。 — 释迦牟尼佛《圆觉经》For example, like smelting gold ore, the gold does not, with smelting thus exists. Although again with the original gold, in the end, it is with...

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Features

Your Coffin, Urn, Tablet, House Is Not Your True Home

闻说阿弥陀佛,执持名号… 一心不乱。其人临命终时,阿弥陀佛,与诸圣众,现在其前。是人终时,心不颠倒,即得往生阿弥陀佛极乐国土。— 释迦牟尼佛《阿弥陀经》Hearing this said about Amitā[bha] Buddha, firmly uphold mindfulness of his name (Āmítuófó)… wholeheartedly...

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Movies

The Real ‘Resident Evil’

When humans already with muchgreed, hatred and delusion‘mindfully’ meddle with science… zombies are created with moregreed, hatred and delusion,who ‘mindlessly’ consume...

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Quotes

Pure And Cool Moon 清凉月

菩萨清凉月,常游毕竟空。众生心垢净,菩萨影现中。 — 佛教名言 Bodhisattvas, like the pure and cool moon,constantly travel in ultimate emptiness.When sentient beings’ minds’ defilements are purified,the...

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Quotes

Find Buddha

A Buddha is not easy to find,for one is not born just anywhere.However, where one is found,you will also find great happiness.— The Buddha(Dhammapada Verse 193)(It is easiest to find a Buddha in his...

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Excerpts

What Makes This Life Worthy?

There is no predicament whichcannot be ennobled either byan achievement or by endurance.— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [I]magine that you are sitting in a concert hall and listening to your favourite...

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Movies

The Gem Within ‘Richard Jewell’

Being unenlightened, none of us are perfect all the time, be it in the past or present. After all, we are mixed bags, with pure gold but embedded in ore, that requires further refinement. Despite...

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Quotes

Verse On Diligent Learning 勤学偈

未成佛者,学无止境。唯成佛者,学达止境。 For those yet to accomplish Buddhahood,learning is still without an end.Only for those who have accomplished Buddhahood,has learning reached its end.

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Features

Time Will Tell The Truth 时间会说出真相

时间会说出真相 [1] 赠君一法决狐疑,不用钻龟与祝蓍。[2] 试玉要烧三日满,辨材须待七年期。[3] 周公恐惧流言日,王莽谦恭未篡时。[4] 向使当初身便死,一生真伪复谁知? — 白居易《放言五首·其三》 Time Will Tell The Truth [1] [I hereby] give you a method for resolving doubts, that does not...

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Quotes

Non-Anger & Non-Violence

He who meets anger with anger is the loser. He who is calm in the face of anger is the winner. He has won a difficult battle.He who remains calm and unperturbed in the face of anger,saves both...

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Features

How Should Buddhists See The Plant-Based Meat ‘Revolution’?

第三食肉[轻]戒:若佛子,故食肉,一切肉不得食。夫食肉者,断大慈悲佛性种子,一切众生见而舍去。是故一切菩萨,不得食一切众生肉。食肉得无量罪。若故食者,犯轻垢罪。— 释迦牟尼佛《梵网经菩萨戒本》The Third [Light] Precept Against Eating Meat: If as Buddhas’ [Bodhisattva] disciples, of...

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Excerpts

A Spinning Coin

The world keeps changing,and you are part of the world,but even if it changes to be worse,you can still change yourself for the better.— Shilashanti Uncertainty is the cause of anxiety, but it is...

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Features

What Is The Best Way To Depart?

上念佛者,佳妙瑞相,预知时至,启众信心。—《佳妙偈》(1)Those with superior mindfulness of Buddha, have excellent and wonderful auspicious signs, including in advance knowing the time of reaching Pure Land, which inspires all...

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Excerpts

What Does Your Life Expect Of You?

If it is finitely meaningfulto seek True Happiness for oneself,it is infinitely meaningfulto seek True Happiness for all.— Stonepeace I once had two world-weary people sitting opposite me — as chance...

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Excerpts

Be Morally Superior Firmly

Those with a higher purposecan suffer meaningfully,thus not truly suffering.Those without a higher purposemight suffer meaninglessly,thus truly suffering.— Stonepeace We know today more than ever...

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Quotes

Patience With Evil Without Anger 忍恶无瞋

恶人闻善,故来挠乱者,汝自禁息,当无瞋责。彼来恶者,而自恶之。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第六章 When evil persons who hear of good,are with those who thus come to disturb,if you are personally restrained and calm,you will be without angry...

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Features

All The More Should Pure Land Be Reached

国中天人… 识宿命,下至知百千亿那由他诸劫事者… — 前法藏菩萨;现在阿弥陀佛《无量寿经》:第五:生者皆得宿命愿[H]eavenly and human beings within my [Pure] Land, have those… knowing past lives… at least know[ing] a hundred...

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Excerpts

Animals (A Vegan Slam Poem)

Veganism gives us all the opportunity to say what we ‘stand for’ in life — the ideal of healthy, humane living. Add decades to your life, with a clear conscience as a bonus.— Donald...

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Letters

Are Such Funeral Proceedings Ideal?

Question: At a teacher’s funeral, there was a period when many students were standing and sitting around, not doing anything in particular. Some might be meditating, but none were chanting...

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Movies

Just A ‘Feria’ Tale?

If there is evil in this world, is there not also the most powerful evil? Yes, of course. by logical default. In Buddhism, this is represented by Māra, the heavenly demon king. What if there is a(n)...

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Quotes

Evil Returns To Oneself 恶还本身

有人闻吾守道,行大仁慈,故致骂佛。佛默不对。骂止,问曰:「子以礼从人,其人不纳,礼归子乎?」对曰:「归矣。」佛言:「今子骂我,我今不纳,子自持祸,归子身矣。犹响应声,影之随形,终无免离,慎勿为恶。」 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第七章 There was a person who heard of my guarding of the path, and practice of great...

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Excerpts

Keep Leading By Doing What Is Right

Let us not wait for other people to come to us and call upon us to do great deeds. Let us instead be the first to summon the rest to the path of honor. Show yourself to be the bravest of all the...

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Quotes

With Dust & Spittle Self-Defiling 尘唾自污

恶人害贤者,犹仰天而唾。唾不至天,还从己堕。逆风扬尘,尘不至彼,还坌己身。贤不可毀,祸必灭己。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第八章 When evil persons harm those virtuous, it is like looking up to the sky and spitting. Their spittle does not reach the sky...

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Excerpts

How To Stoically Respond To A Ghost

Direct yourself calmly and clearly.Guide others kindly and wisely.Direct and guide one and all likewise.— Shilashanti There was at Athens a large and roomy house, which had a bad name, so that no one...

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Letters

Are Enlightened Ones Still Sentient Beings?

Question: Are awakened beings (觉者) like Buddhas (佛陀), Pratyekabuddhas (辟支佛), Bodhisattvas (菩提萨埵/菩萨) and Arhats (阿罗汉/罗汉) still considered as sentient beings? Answer: The term ‘sentient...

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Features

Past As Prologue

The past had already formed.The future has yet to form.Only in the present is forming.— Shilashanti William Shakespeare wrote, ‘Whereof what’s past is prologue…’Not...

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Movies

Is This The Horror Of Horrors?

Having watched many horror films, I wondered what is the simplest yet still effectively ‘horrible’ scenario. To ‘qualify’, it must have the element of an existential crisis...

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Thoughts

Advice

Advice for the young at heart: Soon we will be older… When we’re gonna make it work?— Tears For Fears(Advice For The Young At Heart)

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Quotes

Giving Of Alms In Turn Superior 施饭转胜

饭恶人百,不如饭一善人。饭善人千,不如饭一持五戒者。饭五戒者万,不如饭一须陀洹。饭百万须陀洹,不如饭一斯陀含。饭千万斯陀含,不如饭一阿那含。饭一亿阿那含,不如饭一阿罗汉。饭十亿阿罗汉,不如饭一辟支佛。饭百亿辟支佛,不如饭一三世诸佛。饭千亿三世诸佛,不如饭一无念无住无修无证之者。 — 释迦牟尼佛《四十二章经》: 第十一章 Offering food to a hundred evil...

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Excerpts

Now Is Forever

That once thought, said and done become that forever thought, said and done, with karmic repercussions echoing forever.— Shilashanti [T]he eternal refers back to the temporal – to the temporal...

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Features

Six Serenity ‘Prayer’ Reminders

What I can controlis what I think, say and do — that is all.As this is how I create my karma,may I always think, say and do well.— Shilashanti(The Control Reminder: Part 1) [1] When Trouble...

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Excerpts

Rationality: A Simple Definition

The more rational knowthey are not always rational.The more irrational thinkthey are always rational.— Shilashanti Clearly the words “rational” and “irrational” can be quite...

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Thoughts

Karma Haikus

Those who do not believethat fire burnsnevertheless suffer fires’ burns.Those who do not believethat ill causes lead to ill effects.nevertheless suffer ill causes’ effects.

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Excerpts

Life Is For Joyful Duty

I slept and dreamtthat life was joy.I awoke and sawthat life was duty.I worked – and behold,duty was joy.— Rabindranath Tagore [L]ife is somehow duty, a single huge obligation. And there...

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